Archive for the 'Los Angeles Sparks' Tag Under 'Lakers' Category

Joe Bryant, Kobe's father, is coming back to the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant coach.

Bryant was the Sparks' head coach in 2005 and '06. He most recently was head coach of Raru Kamuy Hokkaido, a Japanese first-division men's team, and teaching at a private basketball academy in Japan. He was also head coach of the Tokyo Apache and Italy's Sebastiani Rieti previously.

He will be working with second-year Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom.

With Bryant as head coach in 2006, the Sparks had the best record in the Western Conference at 25-9 – the second-best record in the league – and reached the conference finals.

“I'm really happy to join Jennifer's staff and be back with the Sparks' organization," Bryant said in a statement. "The pieces are all in place to bring a trophy to Los Angeles this season. Personally, I've always enjoyed coaching women and being a part of the WNBA.”

Women's basketball icon Candace Parker of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and her husband, Sacramento Kings reserve forward Shelden Williams, are expecting their first child this spring, according to a report on scout.com.

The good news for Parker fans and all fans of the women's game in general is the fact the WNBA superstar is not expected to miss any action this summer.

The 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player is said to be working out in anticipation of participating in the 2009 WNBA campaign.

The impressive WNBA double in awards by Parker, who led Tennessee to the 2008 women's NCAA title, duplicated the feat accomplished previously by Yolanda Griffith -- who had played in Europe and in the ABL before doing her double.